Game apparatus



Aug. 30, 1960 Filed April 15, 1957 G. A. LYON GAME APPARATUS 2 Sheets-$heet l hr 5772212 650,905 flABE'RT 1 yo G. A. LYON GAME APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15 1957 40 Fig-.9 /z7z/E'I 7/QF 4/ 6202s: /74 5527 Zro/v United rates lPatent O GAME APPARATUS George Albert Lyon, 13881 W. Chicago Blvd., Detroit 28, Mich.

Filed Apr. 15, 1957, Ser. No. 652,775

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-99) The present invention relates to improvements in game apparatus and more particularly concerns a game device requiring a fair degree of skill to effect scoring registration of a pendulous member with a receiving member located in the path of a cycle of swinging movement of-the pendulous member and at substantially the opposite side of the arc of swinging movement from which swinging of the pendulous member is initiated.

Games involving manual dexterity have an especial appeal, for the players since they aiiord increasing competitive interest as the players skill improves. Player interest is also heightened and sustained by the introduction of complexities or at least possibilities for variations in the sequence or order of scoring possibility in the game apparatus.

It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide a novel game apparatus providing a pendulous playing member for registration in scoring relation with one or a plurality of scoring members.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved game apparatus affording a selective plurality of scoring possibilities by the swinging manipulation of a playing member.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel game apparatus including a pendulous ring playing member adapted for selective scoring engagement upon a plurality of hooks.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved game apparatus provided with novel supporting and cantilever arm structure and arranged for playing a game wherein a pendulous free swinging playing member is registerable in scoring relation with engageable means on the supporting structure.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide improved game apparatus of simple structure and substantial playing versatility.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of game apparatus embodying features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus of-Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on the line III--III of Figure 2;

Figure-4 is a side elevational view, partially in section,

of the ring member of the apparatus;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the apparatus; I

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a further modified form of the apparatus;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the lower portion of the apparatus of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified form of ring member.

In one exemplary form of the invention as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a playing member 10 in the form of a ring (Fig. 4), is swingably supported by a tether or leash 11 of preferably flexible material such as cord, wire, thin chain or the like, from the distal end portion of a cantilever supporting arm 12 mounted on the upper portion of a supporting structure including a generally upwardly extending post or standard member 13 carrying one or more, and in the present instance four, scoring members 1'4, herein in the form of books upon which the ring 10 is adapted to be engaged. The construction and relationship of the ring member 10 and its supporting structure and the hooks 1-4 is such that the ring is adapted to be swingably manipulated into selective engagement with any one of the hooks.

A convenient manner of attaching the ring 10 to the supporting flexible strand or tether 11 is shown in Figure 4. In this arrangement the associated end of the tether 11 is extended through a radial bore 15 through the ring, with anchoring means such as a knot or the like 17 on the extremity of the tether inside the eye of the ring providing an anchor. This is a desirable manner of securing the ring to the tether since by having the end portion of the tether extend reasonably loosely through the bore 15, turning of the ring on the axis of the tether will not twist the tether member to its possible damage, nor tend to eifect a torsion spring winding up of the tether which might interfere with directional and turning control of the ring as manipulated during play.

Pendulous anchorage or connection of the end portion of the tether member 11 to the distal extremity portion of the arm 12 is preferably in such a manner that should the ring 10 be propelled with such force as to cause the sameto swing upwardly beyond the lower end portion of the arm from one side thereof and descend on the opposite sides, the tether 11 will not become wound upon or about the arm. To this end, a centrally bored anchoringtip 18 (Fig.v 3) is carried by the upper extremity portion of the arm 12 which at least in the upper end portion is .of tubular form receptive in press fit engagement with a reduced diameter base or anchoring end portion 19 of the tip member. The end (portion of the flexible-tether member 11 extends through a central bore 20 of the tip member plug 18 and is anchored by means of a knot 21 orthe like on its extremity. At the outer end of the bore 20 is a smoothly rounded flaringmou-th 22 enabling free swiveling of the tether member while bent thereover. As a result of this construction and arrangement, the tether member 11 is enabled freely to assume the suspended or pendulous position shown in Figure 3 after the ring member 10 hops, swings or catapults over the arm 12 by an overly vigorous, misdirected swinging manipulation thereof during play.

In a desirable construction, not only the cantilever arm 12 but also the supporting structure therefor including the standard 13 may be constructed from suitable tubular or rod material. To this end, the lower, proximal end portion of the arm 12 is carried within an integral socket portion 23 forming the head end of the supporting standard member 13.- On its lower end portion the supporting standard member 13 is provided with a rearwardly and downwardly directed supporting leg 24 'coacting in a generally tripod arrangement with a pair of laterally and forwardly directed similar supporting legs 25 which are secured on their upper end portions to the standard member 13 adjacent to and preferably above the juncture thereof with the leg 24. For this purpose, each of the legs 25 is providedon its upper end portion t withtaimore or less flattened standard engaging head portion 27 arranged to be secured to the standard member 13 by means such as a screw and wing nut assembly 28. By providing a longitudinal series of transverse screw holes 29 in graduated spaced relation along the standard member 13, attachment of the leg heads 28 can be effected in relation to any selected one of the holes 29 to predetermine the height of the distal end portion of the cantilever arm 17.

By having the body portion of the standard member 13 tilted toward the back of the assembly in generally overlying relation to the leg 24, and with the arm supporting socket 23 in overlying relation to the body of the standard, and with the legs 25 extending not only su stantially forwardly but also laterally relative to a vertical axis through the juncture of the legs of the assembly, effective counterbalancing by the supporting structure of the weight of the cantilever arm 12 is effected and the apparatus rests in substantially stable equilibrium although the cantilever arm projects to a substantial distance upwardly and forwardly so that the pendulum arc of the ring lit) may be quite wide to enhance the playing interest or appeal of the apparatus.

While the apparatus may be used with only one of the hooks 14 positioned for reception of the pendulous ring 10, a plurality of the hooks is preferred to increase the range of playing possibilities. A four hook arrangement is shown with the respective hooks disposed in preferably symmetrically spaced aligned relation on the forward side of the standard member 13 one above the other. in a desirable arrangement each of the hook members 14 is of identical construction and provided with a threaded shank 3% extending through a suitable transverse bore in the standard member 13 and adjustably secured in place by means of a pair of wing nuts 31 engaging clampingly against the respective opposite sides of the member 13.

In order to dispose the hook or bight portions of the books 14 symmetrically intersecting the arc of movement of the ring as shown by directional arrows in Figure 1 from a starting point wherein the tether 11 is angled forwardly fromthe arm 12 as shown in dot dash outline, to the opposite end of the swinging stroke as shown in dash outline, the hook supporting portion of the standard 13 may be arcuately shaped in general parallel conformity to the ring swing are substantially as shown.

In the course of play, manipulative direction of the ring 10 at the initiation of a swinging arc thereof must be such that the ring is carried up alongside and sufliciently past the tip of the selected hook 14 to enable movement laterally of the ring 10 to shift it into a position sufliciently overlying the tip of the selected hook to engage the hook in the eye of the ring as the ring starts in its return swing of the cycle, thereby catching and holding the ring on the hook as shown in full outline in Figure l with respect to the uppermost in the series of hooks. Where any of the hooks in the lower portion of the series are selected for engagement with the ring, it will be apparent that substantial skill must be exercised both with respect to aim and judgment as to the length of arc of swing and control of the lateral component of movement of the ring and its plane at the critical moment of registration with the hook in order to eifect a scoring hooking on of the ring. In effect, the hook above any one of the lower hooks in the series provides an obstacle that increases the need for skillful manipulation of the ring to make a score on the selected hook. It will also be appreciated by requiring that the respective books be selectively engaged by the ring in some predetermined order or sequence a high degree of playing interest and appeal can be maintained.

In the modification of Figure 5, a playing apparatus is shown thatis in most respects similar to the apparatus of Figure 1 including a similar playing ring (not shown) suspended from a cantilever arm 12' carried by a head socket 23' of the standard member 13 having on the lower portion thereof a rearwardly extending leg 24 and having removably joined thereto respective lateral and forward legs 25'. In this instance, however, the standard member 13' is substantially straight instead of curved as in Figure 1 and a series of hooks 32, 33, 34 and 35 is provided wherein each of the hooks is equipped with a shank portion 37 which in each instance is of progressively different length, the shank 37 of the upper book being the shortest and the shank of the lower hook 35 being longest. Through this arrangement, the head portions of the hooks can be disposed in not only serially spaced relation but also on the arc of swinging movement of the ring in a symmetrical relationship. Play is efiected in the same manner as described in connection with the apparatus of Figure 1.

0n the lower ends of the legs 24' and 25', resilient tips 38 may be mounted. Similar tips could, of course, be provided on the legs 24 and 25 in the apparatus of Figure 1.

While the forms of the present game apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 5 are especially suitable for portable disposition anywhere upon a generally horizontal surface of a playing area, whether indoors or outdoors, the modification shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 is particularly suited for disposition in a corner of a room or playing court. In this form of the invention, a ring member 40 is pendulously supported by a flexible swing-controlling leash 41 from the distal end of a cantilever supporting arm 42 for play by swinging of the ring selectively into hooked engagement with any one of a series of scoring hooks 43 supported by a body or standard member 44.

Attachment of the arm 42 in supported relation upon the upper end of the standard member 44 may be through the medium of a tubular sleeve or socket head 45 of generally T-shape fixedly carried by the standard member 44. A forwardly and upwardly projecting portion of the head 45 provides a socket within which the proximal end portion of the arm 42 is engaged supportingly. A rearwardly projecting portion of the head 45 carries a short stabilizer leg 47 provided with a non-scuflmg, smooth abutment tip such as a ball shaped member 48 which is engageable within a reentrant corner formed by two wall surfaces as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

At its lower end, the standard member 44 is supported by suitable leg structure comprising conveniently a generally inverted U-shaped leg member 49 to the top of the yoke portion whereof a flattened lower end terminal portion 50 of the standard member is secured as by means of a screw or bolt 51 for ready assembly or disassembly. A condition of stable equilibrium of the apparatus is assured by having the leg member 49 disposed forwardly from the center of mass of the apparatus in upright position so that there is a tendency'for the device to overbalance toward the rear and thereby generally pressing the leg tip 423 into the engaged corner. This positively avoids forward pitching of the apparatus in normal play. Any tendency for the leg of the member 49 to slip forwardly on the floor is precluded by providing the tips of the legs with anti-skid means, in the present instance in the form of resilient suction cups 52.

While the hooks 43 may be of graduated shank lengths as in Figure 5, and the standard 44 straight, a desirable arrangement enabling standardization of the books 43 is utilized as shown, and similar to the arrangement in Figure 1, wherein the standard 44 is of generally arcuate shape and adapted to be disposed parallel to the arc of swinging movement of the ring 49 during play. Each of the hooks 43 has a threaded shank 53, extending through suitable bores in the body bar of the standard 44 and ample, every other hook might be eliminated so as to have three rather widely spaced hooks 43 on the standard 44 in the playing range of the ring 40. On the other hand, in order to complicate and increase competitive interest in the game certain of the hooks 43 may be used as obstacles or bafiles. For example, any selected ones or perhaps alternate ones of the hooks 43 may be turned down into the dash line position shown in Figure 7 instead of their normal turned up ring engageable posi tion, whereby to reduce the space between the next adjacent lower ones of the hooks 43 and thus require greater skill in manipulative direction of the ring member 4-0 to effect registration of the eye thereof with the tip of the upwardly and forwardly directed hook toward which aimed. In another variation as shown in Figure 8, one or more of the hooks 43 may be turned sideways, that is turned 90 from the normal vertical plane thereof so that the head of the hook serves as a baflle against swinging of the ring 40 thereby toward the hook or hooks at a higher elevation and thus compels approach to the higher elevation hook or hooks by maneuvering the ring around and past the obstructing, turned hook. Also any or all of the hooks may be set in tilted planes to one side or the other from the common vertical plane shown. Any such variations can be easily effected at will during a contest, for example, to effect progressively more difficult stages of play.

While the substantial versatility of the game has been particularly discussed in connection with the form of Figures 68, it will be appreciated that at least several of the variations just described are applicable to the other forms of the invention described. Other variations will suggest themselves to the players of the game.

Although the playing ring 40 may be of the continuous circle type as shown in Figure 4, it may also assume other desirable forms, such as the form shown in Figure 9 which is generally horseshoe shape. In this form a tie yoke 55 may be used to connect the spaced ends of the ring member to the leash 41, thus in effect completing the ring.

It will be observed that all forms of the apparatus lend themselves to economical mass production methods of manufacture. They provide sturdy structures and attractive units which may be pleasingly decorated as to color or may be suitably plated. Moreover, all forms of the apparatus are adapted to be supplied as knockdown assemblies adapted to be packaged and shipped in fairly compact packages, with the detachable leg portions readily attachable in the assembly and the cantilever ring supporting arm readily assembled by sliding it into the socket provided therefor in each of the forms of the invention by the upper part of the hook-carrying standard member. For storage purposes, the cantilever arm can be readily disengaged by slipping it from the supporting socket and the standard and leg portion of the assembly placed in a relatively small storage space. For extremely limited storage space, the auxiliary legs or leg unit structure can be quickly detached so that the entire apparatus can be put away in disassembled condition.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In game apparatus, a generally upright but rearwardly tilted post or standard structure, means for supporting the post or standard structure, a cantilever arm projecting to a substantial distance forwardly from the upper end portion of the post or standard, a playing ring member, a flexible leash pendulously supporting the playing ring from the distal end portion of said arm, the length of said leash being such that the playing member is adapted to be swung in an are which carries it adjacent to the forward side of said post or standard, and a plurality of hook members carried in series by the inner side of said standard or post member and disposed within the range of swinging movement of the playing member for selective scoring registration of the ring member onto the hooks by directional swinging of the ring member on said leash, said post or standard being of arcuate shape matching said are and all of the hook members being of equal size and located in said are.

2. In game apparatus of the character described, supporting structure including a cantilever arm, a flexible leash, a playing member connected to one end of the leash, and a connecting plug member carried by the distal end tip of the arm and having the end portion of the leash opposite to said playing member swivelly attached thereto and extending therefrom substantially on the axis of the arm for free swivelling movement of the leash thereabout to avoid entanglement or winding of the leash upon the arm should the playing member be over manipulated in a swinging movement toward a scoring member carried by the supporting structure.

3. In game apparatus of the hook and ring type, a tubular standard having an upwardly and forwardly extending rear leg portion joining an upwardly and rearwardly angled intermediate body portion overlying the leg and joining at its upper end an upwardly and forwardly extending socket portion overlying the body portion, a cantilever arm extending from said socket structure upwardly and forwardly, said rearwardly extending body portion and said leg substantially counterbalancing said arm, a tethered ring supported by the upper end of the arm, hook means carried by said body portion and engageable in play by said ring, and a pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending legs secured to said body portion closely adjacent to juncture With said upwardly and forwardly extending leg, said pair of legs being also disposed with their lower end portions extending substantially to opposite sides of a plane through said standard structure and said arm.

4. In game apparatus, a generally upright but rearwardly tilted standard having thereon a central leg coacting with a pair of laterally extending legs attached thereto in supporting the standard, a cantilever arm projecting to a substantial distance forwardly from the upper end portion of the standard and in generally overlying relation to the generally upwardly facing side of the tilted standard, a playing ring member, a flexible leash attached to the free end of said cantilever arm and pendulously supporting the playing ring, the length of said leash being such that the playing ring member is adapted to be swung in an are which carries it adjacent to and over said upwardly facing side of the standard, and a plurality of hook members carried in series by the upwardly facing side of the standard, said hook members having hook portions thereof respectively disposed within the arc of movement of the playing ring member so as to be equally engageable within the eye of the ring member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 117,780 Hoyt Aug. 8, 1871 451,725 Reifi? May 5, 1891 848,168 Grandchamp Mar. 26, 1907 1,052,907 Fergusson Feb. 11, 1913 1,398,511 Hanrath Nov. 29, 1921 1,517,454 Platt Dec. 2, 1924 1,588,207 Storm June 2, 1926 1,781,717 Bradt Nov. 18, 1930 2,095,390 Lange et a1 Oct. 12, 1937 2,237,986 Gilford Apr. 8, 1941 2,272,765 Beeson Feb. 10, 1942 2,282,555 Beatty May 12, 1942 2,606,025 Hornig Aug. 5, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 333,591 Great Britain Aug. 18, 1930 

